Broadland Wineries invests in new bottling line

Broadland Wineries says it can offer independent retailers small batches of own-label 18.7cl and 25cl bottles after investing in a new bottling line.

Smaller bottles are increasing in popularity among recession-hit, health-conscious consumers and Mintel analyst Johnny Forsyth urged retailers to use them to drive growth in the wine category as they offer a higher margin.

But Broadland chief executive Mark Lansley said these smaller serves have a shelf life of six to nine months and wastage is an issue.

He said: “If you want your own-label 18.7cl or 25cl wine you will typically have to have it made in a batch of a minimum of half a tanker, which is 12,000 litres.

“Smaller retailers can’t cope with that volume and a lot is wasted.

“With our new bottling line we can offer lots of 2,000 litres, so it can really benefit smaller retailers as well as larger ones.

“This offers a distinct competitive advantage for Broadland’s customers that wish to split bulk wine tankers into multiple formats and minimize their stock-holdings and risks.”

Lansley, who has owned the Norfolk-based supplier since 2006, said profits are up 25% year-on-year, which allowed it to invest “a number in the hundreds of thousands” on the new bottling line.

He said the aim is to offer the UK wine sector a one-stop solution, catering to the wine needs of major retailers and smaller independents.

Broadland’s fermentation capacity is also being increased over the summer by 30% as well as the introduction of more stainless steel bulk wine storage tanks later in the year.

The company is now importing bulk wines itself and can now deliver to its customers off-the-shelf branded wines and bespoke own label wines, in both UK-packed and bottled-at-source formats.

Broadland also offers pouch and tube options.

Lansley added: “Meeting unmet needs in the UK wine supply sector is Broadland Wineries’ speciality. This new small minimum order quantity bottling line is just one solution we will be bringing to the market over the next two years.

“We are confident of continuing to grow the business over the next few years.”

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